Tense, Apocalyptic Thriller In HELL

HELL (2012) is a German (English subbed) apocalyptic film about a world that is burning up in an ongoing solar flare. A small group of survivors is scavenging their way to a higher altitude, where they believe things are better and there is water, based on the evidence of birds. To get there, however, they will have to deal with other survivors in a world where there is little food and water, and no real safety anywhere.

HELL is a brilliant film. The filmmakers do a great job creating simple characters we care about who act like real people and don’t fit the usual stock hero, villain and spunky heroine roles. In simple brushstrokes and camera work, they create a lived-in, dangerous, sun-scorched world. As for the plot, it keeps things simple and many of the tropes will seem familiar, but it’s done so well that it seems fresh. Everything happens naturally and the conflict is realistic and not in any way contrived–the cannibals say Grace before carving into their latest victims, the brave hero with the bright idea to save the damsel almost gets his group killed, and so on.

Sometimes I feel like I’ve seen it all when it comes to this genre and then every once in a while something comes along that is fresh and fun. HELL fit the bill. Check it out if you ‘re interested in a great apocalyptic film.